Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) for the foreign spouse of a German citizen: how to apply

• Your spouse/civil partner holds German citizenship. • Your current residence status entitles you to receive the Aufenthaltserlaubnis (residence permit) • You are already residing in the federal territory with a residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) or a permission to reside pending an asylum decision (Aufenthaltsgestattung). • Or, due to your nationality, you are entitled to apply for issuance of the residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) after entering the country without a visa. • Or you hold a Duldung (temporary suspension of deportation) under Section 60a of the Residence Act (Aufenthaltsgesetz, AufenthG) and got married within the federal territory. • The marriage or same-sex civil partnership was legally validly concluded • Legal age (Volljährigkeit) As a rule, both spouses or civil partners must have reached the age of 18. • Generally required: you have basic knowledge of German Basic knowledge of German corresponds to level A1 of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR). • No grounds for expulsion (kein Ausweisungsinteresse) Even fines or an ongoing investigation can prevent the issuance of the residence permit. You do not pose a threat to the free democratic basic order or the security of the Federal Republic of Germany. You are not involved in acts of violence in pursuit of political or religious goals, do not publicly call for the use of violence, and do not threaten to use it. • Main residence in Berlin together with your German spouse/civil partner A secondary residence in Berlin is not sufficient. • Current email address The Landesamt für Einwanderung (State Office for Immigration) will contact you using your current email address. Please also check your spam folder regularly. • For online applications: consent to the electronic payment procedure The following payment methods are available to you: • Credit card (Visa, Mastercard) • PayPal

• Application for the issuance of a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) for family reasons • Online only • You will receive a PDF document confirming your application. This certifies that your current residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) remains valid in the federal territory beyond its previous expiry date. This does not apply if you hold a Schengen visa (C visa) for a short-term stay, or if your current residence permit had already expired on the day you submitted the application. • Please be sure to save this document and, if possible, also print it out. • If the application is submitted by an authorized representative: power of attorney stating the subject matter of the proceedings • If you already hold a residence permit (Aufenthaltserlaubnis) or another German residence permit (Aufenthaltstitel) for the federal territory: a copy of your residence permit • Copies of your passport (in colour) • Copies of the following pages of your passport are required: • always: the data pages (with your photo and personal details) • if you have entered the country and are applying for a residence permit for the first time, additionally: entry stamp as well as the visa for entry, or a residence permit from another EU state, in your passport (if available) • Copy of the identity card (Personalausweis) or passport of your German spouse/civil partner • Marriage certificate or civil partnership certificate If the certificate was issued abroad, please provide a certified translation. Depending on your country of origin, you may also need an apostille or legalization for the certificate. • Proof of basic German language skills In particular, the following types of proof are possible: • A language certificate with an overall result of A1 under the GER (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages), or an equivalent or higher-level language diploma, • Deutschtest für Zuwanderer (German test for immigrants) • Abschlusstest Integrationskurs (final test of the integration course) • If you receive benefits under SGB II or SGB XII (German Social Code) or the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz (Asylum Seekers' Benefits Act): the most recent Bewilligungsbescheid (notice of approval)

• 56,00 euros: for the first-time issuance of the residence permit as a sticker • 49,00 euros: for the extension of the residence permit as a sticker • 100,00 euros: for the first-time issuance of the residence permit as an electronic residence permit • 93,00 euros for the extension of the residence permit as an electronic residence permit • 27,60 euros: for Turkish citizens up to the completed age of 24 for the first issuance / for the extension • 46,00 euros: for Turkish citizens from the completed age of 24 for the first issuance / for the extension • No fees: foreign nationals who cannot cover their living expenses without benefits under SGB II or XII or the Asylbewerberleistungsgesetz are exempt from the fees. A current notice from the Jobcenter or Sozialamt must be presented as proof. • 6,00 euros additional: for creating a digital passport photo at the self-service terminal on site

• Aufenthaltsgesetz (Residence Act, AufenthG) § 28 (1) no. 1 www.gesetze-im-internet.de/aufenthg_2004/__28.html

After the appointment, it takes at least 4 weeks until the residence permit is issued as an electronic residence permit and can be collected.

• Apply for a Niederlassungserlaubnis (permanent settlement permit) for family members of German citizens (service) service.berlin.de/dienstleistung/327012/ • Gemeinsamer Europäischer Referenzrahmen für Sprachen (GER) [Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR)] www.europaeischer-referenzrahmen.de/